An apparatus for constructing complex panelized structures, such as vehicle bodywork, has a build station with a jig defining a datum point for a panel of a structure to be assembled, a stillage containing at least one panel, for example ten panels, a support tool including a support frame with both a connector for releasably connecting the support frame to a robot and also a panel tooling for picking up and releasing a panel, and a multi-axis robot, for example a six-axis robot, having a complimentary connector for connecting the robot to the support tool. The robot carries the panel from the stillage to the build station and locates the support frame in a predetermined position at the build station. The robots may be provided on slide rails. A method of constructing the structure is also provided.
Apparatus and method for constructing complex panelized structures
2021-07-07
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B62D MOTOR VEHICLES , Motorfahrzeuge |